Multiple rolling mechanism



J. J. INGELS MULTIPLE ROLLING MECHANISM 47 June 8, 1954 2 Shuts-Shoot 1 Original Filed lay l9 Jzventor: v J5me: J {y [Eye/s Ofiginal .F-iled May 7, 19

- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fluent-or:

Attozr zg' Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,680,466 MULTIPLE ROLLING MECHANISM James J. Ingels, Chicago, Ill.

Original application Ma 4, 1952. Divided and th is application January 4, 1952, Serial No. 264,966

4 Claims.

upper rolls being journaled in bearings which are individually floated in a common frame. The improvements which characterize the present invention are directed in large part to the mountings for the hearings in the frame whereby the rolls which are journaled therein may cooperate with the remaining rolls in both sets to produce a more satisfactory operation upon the metallic sheets or strips as they are advanced successively through the machine.

These and other objects of my invention will appear from the description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the machine, showing the parts thereof which appear above the work supporting table;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail in of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the arrangement of upper and lower sets of rolls lengthwise of the machine;

Fig. 6 which is a view similar to Fig. 2, shows a modification in the roll arrangement; and

Figs. '7, 8, and 9 are fragmentary perspective views each showing one kind of edge conformation that may be produced advantageously with amachine embodying the present invention.

I provide in the machine herein illustrated a work table T which surmounts a inet wherein may be contained a motor (not shown) and driving mechanism which includes a main driving gear I!) in mesh with a gear H which is entrained with other gears l2, l3, l4, and. I5. Other gears (not shown) to the left of center of Fig. 5 may also be included in a second train driven by the same main gear It]. Both gears are extended longitudinally of the machine between a pair of frame Walls W which rise from a As by means of bolts l6 extending between these walls, and sleeves I! carried by the bolts between the walls, I provide for maintaining them a fixed distance apart. The table may be sectional so section, taken on line 3--3 taken on line 4-4 of as to accommodate in its center region the frame walls W together with the two gear trains therebetween.

The first train of gears are mounted fast on shafts 2!, 22, 23, 24, and 25, respectively, whereas those in the second train are mounted fast on shafts whose axes are de- H, l2, l3, l4, and I5 supporting base (not shown).

signed respectively as a, b, c, d, and 6. All of these shafts are extended transversely through the frame walls and are journaled for rotation within suitable bearings therein. The shafts 2!, 23 and 25, also the shafts whose axes are denoted as a, c and e, are of sufiicient length to extend outwardly beyond the frame walls to carry operating rolls L at their opposite ends. mediate shafts, viz. Z2, 24 and those are denoted as b and d, are provided inbetween gears (such as 12 and M) to complete the train and provide for a unidirectional rotation of all the shafts which mount the operating rolls L. From this point on I will treat the two trains of gears as a single system, since all the gears operate in unison in response to motion transmitted from the driving gear Ill.

The rolls L carried by the shafts above noted may be all alike. They constitute together a lower set of rolls. The description to follow will deal mostly with a single lower roll L and its U, it being understood that The interwhose axes to carry the U is mounted fast on a shaft -I provide for driving the upper set of rolls U in unison-with the rolls L in the lower set, the latter being in coacting relation with each alternate gear in the train which interconnects them all. Each shaft 30 which mounts a pair of upper rolls U is journaled for rotation in a bearing 33 carried in a block B (see Figs. 3-5) which is positioned within a slot 35 that extends downwardly from the top of one of the frame walls W. Since these slots and the blocks fitted therewithin are the same for the two frame walls, a description of but one will be necessary. Each block is provided at opposite vertical ends with spaced outwardly extended flanges 35 adapted to overlie he proximate faces of the frame wall when fitted in place. On its underface each block is socketed at 38 to accommodate the upper end of a compression spring 39 whose lower end is in thrust engagement with the bottom of the slot (see Fig. 3). In this way the bearing block B may be resiliently supported within the slot of the frame wall W, the flanges 35 serving as guides to conline the block movements to a vertical plane.

The top face of each block B is also socketed at 4! to form a seat for the lower end of a second compression spring 42 whose upper end is fitted within a socket 43 on the underface of a cap bar C which overlies one of the frame walls W to which it is fixedly secured as by stud bolts 45.

which extends transversely "frame walls.

provide a a :sheet heavier than :may rise as required spring 42 in opposition withthe lower spring 39 will pIOVidztt resilient floating mounting for the bearing block B 'therebetween.

In operation, a set of rolls of desired peripheral contour will be mounted on the upper and lower shafts, so as to receive betweenthemfi the metal strips or sheets which are to be operated upon. These sheets are adapted 'to-be slid lengthwise along guides l'iwhich may-beaiiixed to the table T at desired places. .I-he .table height is fixed so as toa=be-..closewto themip between the upper and lower sets of rolls whereby the work s supported thereon willbecorrectly positioned to enter therebetween.

As is well-known in the sheet metal working *artit is possible to'produce many different crosssectional forms and interlocks in strips or sheets that are operated upon.

Three such contours are suggested in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, the first showing drive cleat interlock with the turned edges of a pair of adjacent sheets, the second a- Pittsburgh lock, and the third a standing edge. Any

of these different forms, also various others-may be produced expeditiously by the present machine.

"W, it may be advantageous to aids to each upper and lower shaft-a third roll 59 and respectively, which will be positioned between the two An example of this noted in Fig. 6. In a set-up of this kind, the strips s to be operated upon by the intermediate upper and lower" rolls are fed through the machine between the spaced frame-walls" W which may serve as a guiding means therefor. The three sets of rolls illustrated in Fig. 6 are peripherally contoured to produce bends in the work corresponding to the showings in Figs. 7, 8=and 9, the rolls of Fig-fi (reading from left to right) being -designed to In operation, encountered will require that one set or rolls yield with respect to' the other as "the work advances through between them. *For th'is 'purpose I have provided-the spring supported lbearing blocks for one set oirollsthe upper ones, 1

for example. The flo'ating mounting provided for each bearing block is -such as to provide anor- 'mal predetermined distance of separation"between its associated roll and theone*that is companion thereto; so that the work advanced therebetween may be operated upon in the intended manner. The relative strengthsbf the opposing springs between which each"bloc'k is floated is also an important factor to be taken "into account in this connection.

The normal clearance between the'upper and 'lower forming rolls may be about $015". "When this thickness is passed between the rolls, 'then the floating upper roller to accommodate such a sheet. The range of movement: is normally rather slightnot enough to produce any appreciable tilting of an upper shaft so as to affect the operation of the roll at 'the'opposite end.

The entire assembly and arrangement of operating parts which are included in the present machine is simple and effective to meet varying conditions. The floating movement of the upper "rolls-is confined by the vertical guideway within which the bearing blocks are fitted. In case of standing edge, a drive chat, and a "Pittsburgh-lock, respectively.

the varying conditions '"tobe ,any. replacements or repairs,..it isnecessary only 'to remove one-x-or both. of; the cap bars whereupon any one or more of the upper roll assemblies is fully accessible or available for replacement. To protect the gear train between and Lrthe '=two"'frame walls I may fit a closure strip between them along the top ends, as shown.

This invention was first disclosed in my application Serial-No; 746,499, filed May 7, 1947, now :Patentflo.2588.120, granted March 4, 1952, of awhich this caseis: a division.

I claim:

.1. .Ina multiple rolling machine including a frame having substantially parallel fixed side walls, a plurality of transverse first shafts rotatably extending between and beyond said walls and a shaping rollon each end of a shaft, a gear train positioned between the walls with each gear having a thickness only slightly less than the space between the Walls, certain of said gears being attached to said first shafts for rotation thereof in the same direction, .a plurality of pairs of substantially transverselyaligned blocks each movable withina slot extending downwardly from the top edge of a wall, a pluralityof second shafts each extending transversely of the frame and each rotatably supported in one-.of said pairs of blocks, a shaping roll on the. end of each second shaft cooperating with a roll on a first shaft, gears on said second. shaftsoperatively engaging the gears ofthe gear train for rotation of said secondsshafts andeach having athickness only slightly less than-the .space between the walls, removable closure members on the tops of the walls closingtheopenfops of said slots, a relatively strong spring .ofnxed maximumlength extending between a .closure .member and the adjacentportionof each block, and a relatively weak compression spring extend- =ing between. the. bottom .of each recess and- .the adjacent portion of each block holding theblock against .the strong spring and thereby providing a predetermined spacing between the rollsof each cooperating-pair of rolls.

..2. a The rolling machine .of claim 1 wherein each block is. provided .withside fiangesoverlapping .the adjacent side portion of its walls for retainingthe block in its slot.

:3...The rollingmachineofclaim 1 wherein each block-is provided wtih a spring-receiving recess at each of its top and bottom-edges.

4. The rolling machine of claim 1 wherein the removable closure members of each Wallis .inthe form. of a single cap bar extending across..all said slots, with. each. cap bar including' a 'plurality of recesses zeach receiving the upper end .of one of the strong springs.

;References Cited in thefile of this patent 

